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Independent Leeds coffee shop crowned one of the UK’s best for 2026

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Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 12th August 2026

A list of the UK's best independent coffee shops for 2026 has been released, and one in Leeds has come up trumps.

The coffee shop in question may come as no surprise to some of you, as some would say that after 15 years in the city it's become somewhat of an institution.

Of course it's none other than Laynes.

Founded in 2011 by Dave Olejnik, Laynes began life on New Station Street and quickly became one of the first venues in Leeds to focus on carefully sourced and roasted coffee beans, helping lead the way for the city's now-thriving independent coffee scene.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

It's a proper Leeds staple at this point, sat proudly with its glowing yellow exterior and queues out the door full of punters looking for their morning caffeine fix.

But it's not just us who think it's flipping fantastic, as a new study has revealed the top 10 most popular independent coffee shops in the country and Laynes comes in at a very respectable number 8.

The list, made by Capital on Tap, analysed coffee across the UK looking at Google reviews, monthly searches and social media success.

Laynes was in some pretty good company including Idle Hands in Manchester and Kaf Coffee in Glasgow. But most importantly, none of the top 10 were in London - make of that what you will.

The top 10 most popular independent coffee shops for 2026:

  1. Neighbourhood Café, Belfast
  2. Colonna & Small’s, Bath
  3. Established Coffee, Belfast
  4. Hard Lines Coffee, Cardiff
  5. Rough Handmade, Liverpool
  6. Idle Hands Coffee, Manchester
  7. Full Court Press, Bristol
  8. Laynes Espresso, Leeds
  9. Kaf Coffee, Glasgow
  10. Dom’s Coffee, Cambridge

Bravo Laynes, a well earned accolade for one of our favourite spots in the city.

Read more: A brand-new city-wide festival dedicated to independent coffee is launching in Leeds

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

A bakery serving giant NYC-style cookies and fluffy cinnamon buns has just opened in Leeds

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

If you've got a seriously sweet tooth, then you're going to love this new opening.

It seems like there's been a flurry of new bakeries popping up in and around Leeds recently, and we're certainly not complaining.

Introducing Crumbb, a beautiful new bakery that has just opened its doors on Hyde Park Road just moments outside of the city centre.

Owner Naila started the businesses as a wholesaler six years ago, stocking up local businesses from far and wide with sweet treats.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Since then, Crumbbs opened its first location in Bradford just a few months ago that has been nothing short of a resounding success. So much so, that Crumbbs 2.0 was born right here in Leeds a few days ago.

Right, let's talk you through what's on offer.

For the sweet toothed out there, there's a whole myriad of treats for you to enjoy. We're talking giant NYC-style cookies, fluffy cinnamon buns topped with gooey icing, brownies slices, cookie muffins, rocky road, flapjack, the list is truly endless.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

You can even get warm cookie trays and hot brownies to enjoy in house that can be topped with ice cream or thick custard.

And it doesn't stop there, Crumbbs also whip up freshly baked savoury focaccia slices as well as cheese twists, pizza slices and savoury rolls filled with creamy mozzarella and herbs.

They've also got a fabulous drink selection on offer including matcha, coffee and hot chocolates.

Located in Headingley, we've got a feeling this spot is going to be a huge hit with students and locals alike looking to get their sweet treat fix. But they'll have to beat us to it first.

Read more from The Hoot Leeds: The hidden Leeds bakery serving giant cheese twists, pickle sausage rolls and chocolate focaccia

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

The hidden Leeds bakery serving giant cheese twists, pickle sausage rolls and chocolate focaccia

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

This spot in the city is baking up some weird and wonderful creations.

But you'll have to act fast if you want to get your hands on them, as it's only open one day a week for all your doughy desires.

Introducing Fold, a focaccia-focused bakery by the talented team behind The Cheesy Living Co.

Rewind to this time last year and with three restaurants flourishing across Leeds, the team needed a space to bake all their bread and sweet treats in-house to supply to sites.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

And this is where Fold came in, located underneath the arches of Brussels Street on the outskirts of the city centre - it may take a while to find this spot but once you have, it'll be worth it.

And they're making some of the most inventive bakes that we've seen.

Of course there'll always be a focaccia on offer, with flavours ranging from crispy chilli oil, sesame and spring onion to kimchi, cheese and pistachio.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

And it's not just savoury focaccia, you'll even find gooey chocolate and banana focaccia as well as Biscoff waffle focaccia....yep, seriously.

Elsewhere they specialise in gigantic footlong cheese twists with more crispy bits than soft, as well as chorizo and cheese stuffed sausage rolls and a range of freshly baked bagels for you to go home and smear in your cream cheese of choice.

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Some seriously spectacular specials have been the gochujang cookies and the 'pickle roll', basically like a sausage roll but with...pickles.

It seems there's really no boundaries for where these bakes will go, and you can guarantee that every visit will be different than the rest.

Only open on Saturdays from 10am - 1pm, Fold are changing the baking game. Pop in and say hello, you won't be disappointed.

Read more: Everything we ate and drank at Dishoom Leeds – one of the city’s hottest new openings

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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